More than 100 MPs are calling for an investigation into allegations that the elderly suffer discrimination in the health service.

They have signed an Early Day Motion to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, asking the government to take urgent action to make sure older patients are not denied the best treatments.

Age Concern wants ministers to carry through a pledge made in opposition, in which then Shadow Health spokesman Chris Smith committed the government to an inquiry.

Age Concern Director General Sally Greengross said: "Older people cannot be fobbed off any longer.

"The government keeps assuring us that these issues will be tackled once the National Service Framework is finally published, but the framework will not be able to measure and challenge the extent of age discrimination in the NHS."

The charity fears that some doctors are saving the best, and most expensive, treatments for younger patients because they feel they will benefit more from them.

Cancer discrimination

An Age Concern report suggested that the most modern treatments for cancer and high blood pressure were among those being withheld.

The wording of the motion urges the government to set up a "thorough independent investigation".

John Austin MP, a Labour member of the Health Select Committee, who signed the motion, said: "The evidence is mounting - older people are not getting a fair deal from the NHS.

"A government inquiry of discriminatory practices in the NHS is the first step towards achieving this."

The British Medical Association has supported Age Concern, but added that doctors were often juggling limited resources.

Dr Ian Bogle, BMA chairman, said that in situations such as organ transplantation, calculations had to be made on the basis of the numbers of years of life the operation was likely to give.